Sun Belt Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 12: The Troy Trojans celebrate after the championship game of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament against the Texas State Bobcats at UNO Lakefront Arena on March 12, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Troy Trojans won 59-53. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 29: Ike Smith #3 of the Georgia Southern Eagles (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Second Round

5) Georgia Southern vs. 8) Louisiana

The #5 seed Georgia Southern Eagles have been in a little bit of a slump, losing three of their last five contests. Two of those three losses were to teams seeded lower than them in the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament. I think they get back on the right track when they face a Louisiana team that they have already defeated twice this season.

Prediction: Georgia Southern 72 – Louisiana 60

6) Appalachian State vs. 10) Coastal Carolina

This matchup in the Second Round will be between two squads that met about a week ago. The Chanticleers won the game 84-77 behind a strong 26 point performance from Sophomore guard, Devante Jones. Appalachian’s State’s star player, Justin Forrest, did not have a great night. I think Forrest and Appalachian State will wake up in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and take care of the Chanticleers this time around.

Prediction: Appalachian State 76 – Coastal Carolina 70

Quarterfinals

3) Texas State vs. 6) Appalachian State

The first time these two squads met in the regular season, the Texas State Bobcats took care of App State easily, routing the Mountaineers 82-57. Nijal Pearson had 22 points that night for Texas State, and Justin Forrest had 23 for App State but was their only weapon that night on offense. In their second meeting, the Mountaineers took down the Bobcats 60-57, a game in which Pearson did not play. With Pearson there in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament, his presence will be too much for App State.

Prediction: Texas State 83 – App State 68

4) Georgia State vs. 5) Georgia Southern

This battle will determine which of these two squads is the mid-major basketball champion of the state of Georgia. That is yet to be decided between these two because they both beat each other in the regular season. In this game, however, Georgia Southern’s depth will be outmatched by the mentality of the Georgia State players that are hungry to reclaim their spot at the top.